The US is really ramping up its war on intellectual property infringement, a war which I'm sure will be just as successful, cheap and supported by the people as the wars on drugs and terrorism. The US has started seizing the domain names of various websites through ICANN - not because owners of these sites were convicted of anything, but merely because complaints have been filed against them. Anyone want to take a guess how long it will be before the US government blocks WikiLeaks? Update: The blocks function outside of the US too. In other words, the US is forcing its views upon the rest of the world once again.

One of my mates left his accountancy job to three years ago to drive trucks in a mine. He now earns over $120k/year.

Why would any computer store give you an interview? You have very little experience and presumably no formal qualifications. There are a huge number of people with greater skills and far more experience.